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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Finding safety in the call of the wild -- Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10, Psalm 23 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A
There are two themes that run through the passages for today.
God Fulfills His Promises -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
From the promises of the Old Testament prophets (today’s selection is from Jeremiah) to the fulfillm
A distinctive king -- Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B
Kings are not exactly in vogue at the present time.
Persecution -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 22:14--23:56 -- Passion Sunday - C
Sometimes you will hear someone making great protestations about the ways in which they are persecut
For those who don't know -- Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 20:19-31, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
Every so often, we come across an event where, as we watch the people involved, we conclude, "They h
Those Other People -- 1 Kings 19:9-14, Galatians 3:23-29, Luke 9:18-24 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
In all probability the worst sin most of us commit is the sin of imagining we, of all the people in
Reward -- Psalm 34, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A
One of the vexing problems that most of us never take time to face is the problem of reward.
Raising Our Sights -- Ezekiel 23:1-9, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-15
Now I lay me down to love -- John 10:11-18, 1 John 3:16-24, Acts 4:5-12, Psalm 23 -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
I have three young daughters. One of them in particular would say that she is an animal
The thief who gave nothing -- Maundy Thursday - A
We've never met, you and I.
The crops of Canaan -- Joshua 5:9-12, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32, Psalm 32 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
One night, prowling the corners of a Christian bookstore, I stumbled past the Max Lucado, Dan Jenkin
Mixed reactions -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, Hebrews 12:18-29, Luke 13:10-17, Psalm 71:1-6 -- David Kalas -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C
The promos for a new movie feature all sorts of glowing quotes from an assortment of reviews.
More than one tale can tell -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53, Psalm 93 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
Ascension Day is perhaps one of the least celebrated of the major Christian feasts.
The jar left behind -- Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42, Psalm 95 -- William H. Shepherd -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
I was reading the work of a well-known biblical critic who said, "Adequate water sources were crucia
It could happen to you -- Genesis 45:1-15, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32, Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28, Psalm 133 -- William H. Shepherd -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A
There is a chain of tradition.
The road no one wants to travel -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A
Last winter, I had to attend a meeting in Ontario, Canada.
Grace -- Psalm 103:1-13, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9 -- Third Sunday in Lent - C
Somewhere along the line religious bodies become anxious and lose their confidence in the grace of G
Certainty -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
Everyone I meet wants certainty.
The Change Epiphany Brings -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:35-42 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
In all three scriptures for today we discover that when GodÕs Spirit reveals itself, change takes p
Something for Everyone -- 2 Kings 5:1-15ab, Luke 11:1-13, Colossians 2:6-15 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C
One of the wonderful things about such selections as those chosen for this Sunday is the way in whic
Right Response -- Acts 15:1-2, 22, 27, Revelation 21:10, 22-27, John 14:23-29 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
Just what does God expect of us?
What goes up -- Luke 24:44-53, Ephesians 1:15-23, Acts 1:1-11, Psalm 47 -- David Kalas -- Ascension of the Lord - B
"What goes up must come down." So goes the old saying, in an axiomatic testament to the gravitationa
Tri-focusing -- John 3:1-17, Romans 8:12-17, Isaiah 6:1-8 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
On a scale of one to ten, rate the influence of the "one in three" and "the three in one" of the Tri
Let the real king rule! -- Jeremiah 23:2-6, Colossians 1:13-20, Luke 23:35-43 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C
What a collage of images of God this day presents.
All Saints -- Psalm 65:1-8, Psalm 65:1-8 -- All Saints Day - A
One of the worrisome things that is a part of our heritage is the matter of saints.

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

NULL -- Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
Doesn't quite sound like Sharia law, though it leaves husband at the city gates getting compliments
NULL -- Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Ron Love -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
The harbor in Charleston, South Carolina, has engaged in a $15 million project to deepen the channel
NULL -- Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
The book of Proverbs begins with wisdom personified as a woman, and it ends with a canticle of prais
NULL -- James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
Envy is destructive. The evil stepmother of Snow White actually killed her out of envy.
NULL -- James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
Herman Wouk, the novelist who wrote such best-sellers as The Caine Mutiny, Marjorie Mornin
NULL -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Ron Love -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
The Washington Post did a review of books about the Titanic on the 100th anniversary o
NULL -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
The children of Shepherd's Preschool loved being leaders.
NULL -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
I went with a friend to a gigantic healing service in Sacramento years ago.
NULL -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
Jesus probably had a home base in Capernaum, which no doubt involved a house.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 (2012) -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50 -- Richard A. Hasler, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Cynthia E. Cowen, Mark J. Molldrem, Ron Love -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22
NULL -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
In Esther 9:20-22 we have the origins of the festival of Purim associated with the Esther story.
NULL -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
With a lot of earthly wisdom and femme fatale, Esther achieved justice for the Jewish people, perhap
NULL -- James 5:13-20 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
Prayer comes up often in scripture. Can you point to prayers that God has answered for you?
NULL -- James 5:13-20 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
Measles, chickenpox, swine flu, mad cow disease -- medical words today's "youth" recognize.
NULL -- James 5:13-20 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
There is a ministry in many congregations today that uses prayer shawls to comfort those who are sic
NULL -- James 5:13-20 -- Ron Love -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
The Los Angeles Police Department experimented with a new technology that has become so effective in
NULL -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
Jesus wants to maintain our saltiness; he gives us more salt!
NULL -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
John shows how far the disciples were from understanding Jesus' teachings.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 (2012) -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Cynthia E. Cowen, Ron Love, Richard A. Hasler, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2012
Job 1:1; 2:1-10
NULL -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2012
In the TV series 24, which aired several years ago, Jack Bauer (played by Kiefer Sutherland)
NULL -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2012
One of my sons is getting his degree, and he sometimes complains about the tests he will have to tak
NULL -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2012
Exploration of family background revealed that William Moore was born and raised in the territory of
NULL -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Ron Love -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2012
There is a gentleman who quietly lives in Summerville, South Carolina, and goes unrecognized by his
NULL -- Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2012
Louis Cassels, in his Christian Primer, explains why God revealed himself in the way he did b
NULL -- Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2012
Famed preacher of the early church John Chrysostom [known as the one with a golden mouth] offers an

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Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
For September 7, 2025:

StoryShare

Frank Ramirez
For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it?  Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him…. (vv. 28-29)

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A pair of heavy gloves you might use to protect your hands when you are working or gardening.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! But I need to warn you that this story can be really tough to understand, so let’s see if we can figure it out.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Jeremiah 18:1-11
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Jeremiah 18:1-11 and Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus said that we must be utterly committed to him, even to facing danger and pain, if we want to follow him. In our worship today, let us ask him for help in this formidable task.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we are scared to stand up for you.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we love other things more than you.

Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we are more concerned with our own image than with you.

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away.
-- Psalm 139:1-2

Schuyler Rhodes
It would be an easy thing to read through this psalm and nod in assent before moving on to the next. It all seems pretty obvious. "Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread...." It is tantamount to what the young people refer to as a "no-brainer." Much of this bad advice could be avoided by turning off our televisions. And the sinner's well-worn walkways? They too seem fairly apparent. Yet somehow they continue to be well worn.
Paul E. Robinson
Another world, another day, another time. The bright sun cast its long dark shadows along streets filled with carts and animals, never once falling on automobile, trolley or McDonald's litter in the gutter.
Lee Ann Dunlap
What would you do if you opened your mailbox one day to find a letter from the city or county announcing that you have to move? That land your grandparents worked so hard to till, or for which you struggled so long to purchase is deemed the best land available for a new shopping mall. The appraisers will soon be checking out your home to determine its fair market value and you are expected to vacate.
Rick McCracken-Bennett
I remember as I was growing up, before gas became more precious than gold, that our family would go on buggy rides, as we called them, on Sunday afternoons after church and dinner. It was a great time for the entire family to be together, to wander back roads aimlessly, and to talk about just about anything you could imagine.
Gary L. Carver
The old man is about to retire for the evening. Closely he clutches a collection of correspondence as he replaces the worn letter he had read back into the bundle. It is the most treasured possession that he owns. As he hits his knees, he shakes his head in wonder and amazement at what God had done in his life. Only God could have taken him from where once he was to where he is now. And his prayer is one of gratitude.

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